Battle of Lens

The Battle of Lens on August 20, 1648 was a military conflict between the armies of the kingdoms of Spain and France during the Franco- Spanish War ( 1635-1659 ). It ended with a victory for the French troops.

The Spanish under the Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria (1614-1662) stood with their troops in a fixed position at Lens. The Prince de Condé (1621-1686), she tried to coax through skillful maneuvering out of this position. As he did not succeed, he led the morning of August 20, 1648 retreat. On the Spanish side noticed the General Beck and attacked with his Lorraine and Croatian cavalry retreating Frenchmen. Their rearguard commanded by the Marquis de Noirmoutier, which the Spanish attack made ​​violent resistance until he was supported by the bulk of the French army. Now Archduke Wilhelm was forced to leave its protective position to get the troops Becks to the rescue. Both sides formed up in two lines. After six hours of fighting, the French troops were victorious.

On the Spanish side there were 5,000 soldiers. More 6000 were captured by the French. Furthermore, the entire entourage, the artillery and 120 flags fell into the hands of the French. The army gathered in the following days at Douai, while the French occupied Furnes.